Two-Column Notes

Date:
Name: Cassie Brown
8/30/201
6

Page #
Pg. 225

Pg. 230

MR Title(s): Designing Cohesive Units

MR Source(s): Bring Learning Alive
The Text Says
Notes (key concepts, direct quotes, etc.)
An essential question: a provocative
question that prompts students to
investigate, throughout the unit, the
critical aspects of the topic.

Class/Subject: EDTL 4760

I Say
My notes, commentary

An essential question is perhaps one of the

most important aspects of a lesson plan. It
guides the lesson so that it does not stray too
much from the main focus and content
standards. It is repeatedly brought to light to
students through the course of a lesson to
assist them as they gather evidence and build
the knowledge they need to answer the
question. By the end of the lesson or unit, they
are then able to answer the question with facts
and strong opinions that ultimately provide a
meaningful response to the question.
Open the unit by showing selected images This form of an introduction is perhaps my
to help introduce the essential question.
favorite for various reasons. I have used it as a
Encourage students to give an initial
hook in a classroom seeing as students usually
response to the question after viewing the
respond well to visual images. It engages them
images.
and gets them to think hard about what were
going to be learning. It is also effective because
if their original responses are recorded, it shows
clear evidence of the progress they have made
throughout the lesson and how much they have
learned. While analyzing a picture may seem
rather simple of an activity, it is effective in

Pg. 233

Each time students reflect on the

question, they will have new information to
integrate into their position.

engaging students and providing an

introduction to what they are going to learn.
A regular reflection on the essential question is
a productive way to record progress of the
student, not only for the teacher to take note of
but for the student as well. If notes are being
taken throughout the research process, it
shows what was known at the beginning of the
process and how the learning progressed with
the research that was conducted to answer the
essential question. It also can be tied back to
students arguing that material isnt useful or
worthwhile. If there is a clear record of their
progress, there is a direct evidence of how
much they have learned and gained from the
assignments.

Connections to previous MR: In relation to our class activities conducted in our first class, throughout
the entire lesson, the information was relevant in each activity. There was the guiding question of Is
America Great?. This led us into an investigation of the quality of our leaders and what truly makes a
good leader. America is not solely defined by the greatness of its leader, but it does impact a large part
of the progress of our nation. When identifying what makes America great, it is important to develop
research on what type of leaders it should have. This type of research ultimately supports the essential
question of the lesson.
1. Briefly outline the BLA design process.
Step 1: Develop an essential question for the unit. A relevant and engaging question must be selected to guide the entire unit.

Step 2: Design a unit opener activity. Guided by the essential question, the activity should introduce the unit while being
interactive.
Step 3: Determine the sections of the unit. The essential question will guide the sections of the unit.
Step 4: Identify lesson content that covers key standards and provides evidence on the essential question from different points of
view. A consideration of the standards that must be met and what would be best to teach are considered to add lessons to the unit.
Step 5: Plan assignments for the Interactive Student Notebook that will support the essential question. This allows the student to
consistently reevaluate the essential question.
Step 6: Create an appropriate assessment for the unit. It is important to create an assessment that revolves around the essential
question while considers multiple intelligences.
2. Compare this to what you have already learned about unit planning.

Unit planning is difficult in there must always be the focus of what each lesson needs to convey. The essential question
guides the entire unit to stay on track with standards and to ensure all material is necessary and productive. A key
component of a lesson plan is to allow students to track their progress and to consistently align their work with the
essential question.